Why I've Let These People Stab Me for Almost 20 Years....A short story... My wife, Mareena, and I are the proud owners of a combined 500+ hours of tattoos created within the walls of Trusted Tattoo and the Body Art Bus. We've both been clients (and friends) for nearly two decades... Fun fact* it's actually where we met. But that's a love story for another time. Today, I want to tell you exactly what to expect when you pick Trusted Tattoo (or their traveling sibling, Body Art Bus) to be the people you trust to stab an ink-coated needle into your body thousands and millions of times over countless hours, weeks, months, years... and before you know it, decades. I'm also going to explain why these are the humans I've chosen - and will continue to choose - to spend what can only be described as intimate hostage situations with. If you've never been tattooed before, you've never experienced this special brand of intimacy: being trapped in a chair with someone you love and simontaneously hate. And maybe somtimes want to kill. And are also probably in close enough proximity with to smell eachothers breath for long extended periods of time... where you can't move, because if you do, your skin pays the price. So, for sake of word count, we'll just call this an "intimate Hostage Situations" or IHS. The Artists who've kept me coming back (and upright in the chair)? Joey Chavez, the main mastermind behind both shops, has been tattooing me since 2011. He's the guy behind my full-color sleeve (including a partial cover-up/fix) and my full-color back portrait. Joey is a jack of all trades and if you think it, he can create it! Jordan Nelson is currently working on my second sleeve in black-and-grey realism, has done portraits on both of my thighs, and - along with Joey - is tag-teaming my right leg. If you want to see the evolution of Jordan's work, look no further than my wife's bodysuit. Jordan's drive to grow and perfect his craft has always been something I've admired - not just as a client, but as a friend. Why Trusted Tattoo Is different? Over the years, Mareena and I have unintentionally become walking billboards for this shop's evolution. Every artist here pushes themselves to the next level, constantly chasing growth. That's the secret ingredient, no matter your style, you'll find someone here who can bring your tattoo vision to life and make it an unforgettable experience. Dont get me wrong, shits' ganna hurt, but you'll like it I promise. The professionalism is unmatched. As women, Mareena and I dont need to tell you how important feeling safe and comfortable is with your tattoo artist. It's everything, and that's a non-negotiable here. We've brought countless friends and family, and every single one has walked away in love with their tattoo and their experience. Bottom Line....I promise I'm done after this.... Trusted Tattoo truly lives up to its name. The art is world-class. The people are genuine and real. The experience fun, safe, creative, and sometimes chaotic, but honestly, it's my preferred type of intimate hostage situation. read more

Since its inception, I have enjoyed being part of Trusted Tattoo in Oceanside. I cannot express enough how impressed I am with Joey and his team's ability to honor the trust of my wave tattoo. From the moment I walked through their doors, I felt welcomed and at ease. First and foremost, the professionalism displayed by Joey and his team was exceptional. Their genuine interest and attention to detail showed me they truly cared about creating a meaningful and beautiful piece of art. Joey's expertise in tattooing is undeniable. His skillful hands transformed my vision into a stunning reality. The precision and artistry he demonstrated throughout the process were remarkable. Not only did he capture the essence of the waves through my sleeves, but he also incorporated subtle details that made it even more special. The environment at Trusted Tattoo was clean, hygienic, and comfortable. The studio adhered to strict safety protocols, which gave me peace of mind. I highly recommend Trusted Tattoo to anyone looking for a talented and trustworthy tattoo studio. Whether you're seeking a small, intricate design or a larger, more elaborate piece, they will undoubtedly deliver exceptional results. Thank you, Joey and team, for the incredible experience and for creating wave tattoos I will cherish forever. read more

I had an amazing experience getting my tattoo done by Jordan. From start to finish, Trusted Tattoo made me feel comfortable, listened to what I wanted, and absolutely nailed the design. You can tell Jordan genuinely cares about their craft -- the attention to detail was next level. Every line, every bit of shading was clean and precise. What really stood out to me was how patient and focused Jordan was. They took their time to make sure everything looked just right, and it shows in the final result. I've gotten so many compliments already, and I honestly couldn't be happier with how it turned out. If you're looking for an artist who's not only talented but also professional and easy to work with, Trusted Tattoo has them. I'll definitely be back for my next piece! read more

I have had several awesome pieces done here by Dalma (@odddoll_) and I am excited go go back in for more! She has been very helpful and willing to work with me to make sure that I got exactly what I was looking for. If you are in Oceanside and are looking for great tattoo quality and an awesome experience then look no further! read more

Such an awesome shop. I've been going to Jordan for years and his work is incredible. Super professional and great to work with. The atmosphere at the shop is great and everyone is very friendly. They are all amazing artists and make the experience of getting a tattoo relaxed and fun. read more

Best tattoo shop to go to in SoCal! Ever since I moved out here, I wasn't sure who I would want to go to because I couldn't trust anybody until I met one of the artist Dalma. Such a unique and pure soul to be around, when I'm there you can tell everyone loves what they're doing. read more

Great shop and artist with a traditional tattoo shop vibe. Been going to Jordan for years and he always kills it. Big pieces done quickly with quality that last and look new years after. Highly recommend checking him out @jnelson_art read more

I absolutely loved the experience I had here. Every person working here was super flexible with their customers and made sure they felt comfortable. I definitely recommend coming in and getting some tattoos!! read more

I love this shop so much, it has the most talented artists and piercers in the area and I'm so happy I get to rock their art on me forever!! 10/10 recommend you will not be disappointed! read more

Tiara is the best! Friendly, professional and down to earth. Easy to book or you can just walk in. High quality jewelry and after care. She is very gentle. Would highly recommend. read more